It takes two to tango
Prime minister Imran Khan is making the same mistake like his predecessor Nawaz Sharif in dealing with Modi. The Indian prime minister in a recent interview claimed that he made concerted efforts to improve relations with Pakistan while Nawaz Sharif was prime minister. At the outset, he invited all neighbours except the Pakistani prime minister to his oath taking ceremony late last month. The newly elected Indian prime minister first made a dash to the Maldives offering the island Islamic republic generous economic assistance. But admittedly it takes two to tango.
Source:Pakistan Today
June 15, 2019 19:07 UTC
A battle for the ethos of Afghanistan
This deadlock was largely because of a disagreement on a proposed withdrawal of all non-Afghan (US or NATO) military personnel from Afghanistan. However, significant portions believe such a withdrawal cannot happen until a peace agreement with the Taliban is fully implemented. This is because the Taliban- government conflict is not over the secession of some territory as in Palestine and Kosovo, but over the ethos of Afghanistan. This is not to say that a peace agreement between the two sides is not possible. For a peace agreement socially and politically just, there is no other option.
Source:Pakistan Today
June 15, 2019 19:06 UTC
The lawyers sit-in
A straw in the windThe lawyers sit-in outside the Supreme Court on Friday brought together leaders of the legal profession from all the four provinces regardless of their political orientations and group affiliations. The protest was jointly led by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC), the two prestigious national organisations of the legal community. Besides the present SCBA President Amanullah Kanrani, several former SCBA association Presidents also participated in the sit in. There was a consensus among the former presidents of the SCBA that the reference filed against the judges was mala fide as it was prepared at someone’s instigation. Former President Musharraf simply failed to realise the potential of the 2007 lawyers’ movement.
Source:Pakistan Today
June 15, 2019 18:56 UTC
Hypocrisy galore
PTI’s actions are somehow automatically kosherA little over two months are left for Prime Minister Imran Khan to complete a full one year in office. With the appointment of Ali Jehangir Siddiqui as ‘ambassador-at-large’ for investment in an “honorary capacity”, it seems the PTI’s hypocrisy extends to Foreign Office appointments as well. Apart from lack of expertise, the contention was that Siddiqui had business relations with Shahid Khaqan Abbasi who had approved his ambassadorship as PM during the end of the PML-N’s tenure. It is quite difficult to reconcile the PTI’s rejection and endorsement of the same person in such a short period of time. Either way, it is not defendable, but when has that ever stopped the PTI from trying to justify such actions regardless?
Source:Pakistan Today
June 15, 2019 18:56 UTC
CJP Khosa approves 57 new model courts
ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Asif Saeed Khosa on Saturday approved the establishment of 57 new model courts in Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan. According to reports, 40 model courts will be established in Punjab while 16 in Sindh and one will be established in Balochistan. The new model courts will start working from June 24. According to reports, a federal judicial workshop will be held on June 19 to train new model court judges.
Source:Pakistan Today
June 15, 2019 17:37 UTC
CPNE expresses grief over Rehmat Ali Raazi’s demise
KARACHI: The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) has expressed grief and sorrow over the demise of senior journalist and CPNE Vice President Rehmat Ali Raazi on Saturday. In a condolence statement, CPNE President Arif Nizami said that the entire journalist community of Pakistan was deeply grieved by Raazi’s death, who was known for his investigative journalism and leadership qualities. Raazi was the head of the AZM Media Group and chief editor of Urdu daily Taaqat. The CPNE statement said that Raazi’s contributions for press freedom and journalism will always be remembered and the vacuum created by his demise would not be filled. The CPNE leadership prayed for eternal peace for the departed soul and courage and patience for the bereaved family to bear the huge loss.
Source:Pakistan Today
June 15, 2019 17:26 UTC
NAB gets 4-day transitory remand of Anwar Majeed’s son, two others
KARACHI: An accountability court on Saturday granted a four-day transitory remand of three suspects arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in connection with an alleged fake accounts and money laundering case. NAB claimed to have arrested Khawaja Mustafa Zulqarnain Majeed, a son of Omni Group Chairman Anwar Majeed, from Karachi on Friday. He requested a transitory remand of the suspects be granted so they may be produced before the administrative judge in Islamabad. Accepting the request, Judge Fareed Anwar Qazi granted a transitory remand of the detained businessmen till June 18 with the directives of producing them before the relevant court on or before the next date. Zardari’s close aide and business partners Anwar Majeed and his son Abdul Ghani Majeed, former Pakistan Stock Exchange chairman Hussain Lawai and banker Taha Raza have already been detained in connection with the alleged scam.
Source:Pakistan Today
June 15, 2019 17:15 UTC
Finch, Starc shine as Australia beat Sri Lanka by 87 runs
Australia captain Aaron Finch and pace bowler Mitchell Starc stole the show as the holders eased to an 87-run win over Sri Lanka at the Oval on Saturday. Sri Lanka, who lost their last seven wickets for 42 runs, have only one win from their five matches, a disappointing run that includes two washouts. Sri Lanka had briefly looked capable of surpassing the World Cup chase set by Ireland, who made 329-7 to beat England in 2011. Mendis’s mistimed drive off Starc reduced Sri Lanka to 222-7 and shattered their resistance. Earlier, Finch took the Sri Lanka attack apart with a dazzling display that included 15 fours and five sixes.
Source:Pakistan Today
June 15, 2019 17:15 UTC
Govt to hold Iqama holders accountable
PM Imran briefed the gathering about the debt probe commission and its mechanism. He said the formation and finalisation of the body responsible for carrying out the investigation would be announced soon. Speaking about the country’s financial situation, the prime minister said that the economy had stabilised after a difficult journey. PM’s Adviser on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs Abdul Hafeez Sheikh briefed the participants about the budget and government’s economic objectives. Earlier on June 11, Prime Minister Imran Khan had announced to establish a high-powered commission under his supervision to find out facts behind soaring loans worth Rs24,000 billion.
Source:Pakistan Today
June 15, 2019 17:15 UTC
'ADB to provide Pakistan $3.4 billion in budgetary support'
$2.2 billion will be released this fiscal year, says Hafeez ShaikhISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh said on Saturday that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide Pakistan $3.4 billion in budgetary support, as the country seeks help to overcome a ballooning balance of payments crisis. “The ADB will provide $3.4 billion in budgetary support,” said Hafeez Shaikh on Twitter, adding that he had a meeting with international bank’s DG Werner Liepach to agree on ADB programme. ADB to give $3.4 billion in #budgetary support. I had a meeting with Mr. Werner Liepach, DG ADB today to agree on the #ADB program. The ADB will provide $3.4 billion in budgetary support to help with #reforms and stabilization of the #economy.
Source:The Express Tribune
June 15, 2019 16:52 UTC
UBL hosts annual literary awards
KARACHI: United Bank Limited (UBL) organised 8th annual literary awards on Saturday at a local hotel to honour the literary persons for their contributions to society. The event was attended by a host of writers, literary and media personalities, socialites and celebrities. While speaking on the occasion, Sima Kamil, President & CEO UBL said “Pakistan is a wonderful mix of cultures, languages and ethnicities and our literary lineage is best proof of that. “UBL considers it incumbent upon itself to recognize and inspire writers to continue contributing to the country’s literary wealth. We hope that the literary impetus does not slacken and that future generations continue to take advantage of these literary treasures”, she added.
Source:Pakistan Today
June 15, 2019 16:41 UTC
Saudi seeks oil supply protection as US and Iran face off
Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said “there must be a rapid and decisive response to the threat” to energy supplies, market stability and consumer confidence after the attacks in the Gulf area, the Saudi Energy Ministry reported on Twitter. The United States has tightened sanctions on Iran since Washington withdrew from a 2015 nuclear pact between Tehran and global powers last year. “The kingdom is committed to ensuring stability of global oil markets,” the Saudi energy minister said in Japan at a meeting of energy ministers from the G20 group of nations. RESTRAINTAs well as blaming Iran for the tanker attacks, Washington has also said Tehran was behind May 14 drone strikes on two Saudi oil-pumping stations. Britain has backed the United States in blaming Iran for the tanker attacks, saying no other state or non-state actor could have been responsible.
Source:Pakistan Today
June 15, 2019 16:19 UTC
Justice Isa gets copy of presidential reference
–SJC offers SC justice to present his case during preliminary inquiry–Only 28 complaints/references currently pending with SJCThe Supreme Judicial Council (SJC) has sent Supreme Court (SC) Justice Qazi Faez Isa a copy of the reference filed against him by President Dr Arif Alvi and has also offered him to present his case during the preliminary inquiry, a private media outlet reported on Saturday. According to the report, the copy of the reference, along with other documents, was delivered to Justice Isa at his Islamabad residence on Friday night. Under Rule 8 of the Supreme Judicial Council Inquiry Procedure 2005, the SJC shall place the information in respect of the conduct of a judge before the council for examination. The presidential references were filed against Justice Isa and SHC Justice KK Agha, who are widely recognised and acknowledged as independent, upright and competent judges. “Of the 426 references, 398 cases were processed as per ‘The Supreme Judicial Council Procedure of Enquiry 2005’.
Source:Pakistan Today
June 15, 2019 15:56 UTC
Govt gives south Punjab a major share in budget
He was addressing a post-budget press conference and was accompanied by Punjab Finance Secretary Abdullah Khan Sumbal, Special Secretary Finance Mujahid Sher Dil, Punjab Revenue Authority’s Chairman Javed Ahmed and other high-ups of relevant departments also accompanied the provincial finance minister. “The budget 2019-20 is based on the Punjab Growth Strategy 2018-23. We have tried our best that budget document ensures a bright future of the people of Punjab instead of mere jugglery of figures,” provincial finance minister vowed. The Punjab finance minister told that nine new hospitals would be constructed in deprived districts of Layyah, Mianwali, Rahim Yar Khan, Rawalpindi, Bahawalpur, D.G.Khan, Multan and Rajanpur. “Similarly, the Punjab chief minister and his cabinet also reduced their salaries and other expenditures,” he added.
Source:Pakistan Today
June 15, 2019 15:40 UTC
Pakistan’s first 660cc ‘Alto’ all set to disrupt local automobile market
🔊 Listen to Article‘The fuel-efficient vehicle comes as a relief for car users amidst high inflation and deteriorating economy’ISLAMABAD: Suzuki’s Alto is set to disrupt the local automobile market, and with good reason. On April 12, Pak Suzuki Motor Company Limited introduced its all-new Alto at the Pakistan Auto Show 2019 in Karachi. “It is the first Pakistani car in the 660cc category and is promising a good after-sales service and fuel efficiency,” he told Profit. The 660cc R-series engine comes with modern design and spacious interior in three variants – the Suzuki Alto VX (without AC), Suzuki Alto VXR (with AC) and Suzuki Alto VXL AGS (with AC and automatic transmission). However, it will not be a hammer down on imported cars,” said Wasif Safdar.
Source:Pakistan Today
June 15, 2019 15:13 UTC